Recall 19V912 affects 135 2019-2020 BMW 330I vehicles because rear seat belt pretensioners can fail to lock. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 135 2019-2020 330I vehicles under recall 19V912 because the outboard rear seat belt pretensioners can fail to lock during a crash. If that happens, rear-seat occupants face an increased risk of injury, and BMW dealers will repair the seat belt pretensioners free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The outboard rear seat belt pretensioner in the 2019-2020 BMW 330I is part of the rear seat belt retractor at the outer rear seats. In a crash, the pretensioner is supposed to tighten the belt quickly and help the retractor lock the passenger in place. That tightening action helps keep slack out of the belt when the crash forces rise.
On affected vehicles, the pretensioner's inflator tube was produced without the required crimp around the tube. That crimp is part of the way the pretensioner is built to work under crash loads. Without it, the rear seat belt pretensioner can fail to lock as intended during a crash, so the belt does not restrain the passenger the way it was designed to.
There is no warning sign before failure. The belt can look and feel normal in everyday use because the problem is inside the rear seat belt retractor and shows up only when the pretensioner has to work in a crash.
Who's affected?
Both model years are tied to the same seat belt pretensioner issue.
| 2019 BMW 330I | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2020 BMW 330I | seat belt |
| Units affected | 135 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
If a crash happens, rear seat belt pretensioners that fail to lock leave rear occupants with less restraint and increase the risk of injury. Schedule the recall repair soon, especially before carrying rear seat passengers. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2020 BMW 330I is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free rear seat belt pretensioner replacement, which fixes pretensioners that do not lock as intended during a crash.
- Bring the BMW owner notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 19V912 when you call.
- Use BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 if the dealer cannot confirm the recall or repair timing.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the rear seat belts covered by this recall. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. If you have prior repair paperwork for this condition, ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies before the recall repair is closed out.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 20, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| December 20, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| February 10, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 18, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V912?
Recall 19V912 covers 135 2019-2020 BMW 330I vehicles with outboard rear seat belt pretensioners that do not lock as intended during a crash. If the pretensioners fail to lock, injury risk increases. BMW dealers will replace the rear seat belts for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2020 BMW 330I is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V912. If it is, call a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the rear seat belt replacement. Reference recall number 19V912 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and BMW will replace the rear seat belts free of charge at any franchised BMW dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is higher injury risk in a crash. The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners are designed to lock during a crash, but the recalled parts do not lock as intended. The dealer fix replaces the rear seat belts.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V912000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V912 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V912000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →